Benefits of Journaling

Journaling is paying attention to the inside for the purpose of living well from the inside out. – Lee Wise

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Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Today, let’s talk about the benefits of journaling. Journaling allows you to gain clarity inside and out. Journaling also helps you to make positive changes in your life. If you allow it, journaling will offer you a glimpse into your soul in its purest form.

Before we get started, please make sure you have the following:

An open mind; Meditation ready
Willingness to express oneself; Eager to move from one place to another freely
Humble and caring spirit; Broken soul
Journal or Notebook
Pen or Pencil

I want to encourage you to pause for a moment and look within. Create awareness of your overall energy, how you feel and what you’re thinking. Believe it or not, journaling can be another form of self-reflection. Journaling can make you aware of negative patterns in your behavior so you can focus on the present moment.

BENEFITS OF JOURNALING

Journal writing, when it becomes a ritual for transformation, is not only life-changing but life-expanding. – Jen Williamson

What’s the message that you need on today? What is it that you need to focus on within your life, right now, in this very moment? During your lifelong journey, it’s important for you to speak positive words into your soul. Despite the hurt you may feel or the sadness you experience in life, often times you forget that the power to overcome life’s challenges is already inside you. If you feel lost or defeated, it’s because the heart and mind are not working in harmony, when they work together you will find peace. Although, there’s a lot of benefits of journaling, here’s a few that I want to share with you.

Journaling:

Helps you think more critically about your life.
Reduces stress and anxiety by keeping you in the present moment.
Allows you to recognize and release negative thoughts and feelings.
Increases your happiness in life and improves your mood.
Encourages inner peace and a feeling of well-being.
Provides self-discovery, self-awareness, and moments of reflection.
Helps you gain clarity in your life, better memory.
Increases creativity, positivity, and mindfulness.
Builds resilience and confidence.
Helps to organize and process your thoughts and feelings.
Improves your sleep and overall mental wellness.

As you can see, making the decision to practice journaling will bring mindfulness, peace, and emotional healing into your daily routine.

JOURNALING TIPS

Journal writing gives us insights into who we are, who we were, and who we can become. – Sandra Marinella

There is no wrong or right way to practice journaling, just write! Journaling is a great way to release restless thoughts and emotions so you can be in a better headspace. Include journaling in your daily routine so you can heal any emotional, physical or mental wounds that may have been caused by negativity from others or internally. Here’s some great journaling tips to help you get started:

Create a safe place to write; Declutter your space; Add your preferred lighting and scented candles; You should feel good, happy and calm in your writing space.
Let it all out; Allow your thoughts to flow freely and write about anything.
Dedicate time and write regularly; Try to write in your journal on a regular basis; Every day is ideal.
Try new things; Move out of your comfort zone; Try things that make you happy; Write letters to yourself or to loved ones (past or present).
Don’t get too negative; Shift your writing in another direction; Avoid rereading your negative writing, but instead have a balanced point of view.

What’s your story or experience concerning journaling? It’s important to allow yourself to feel and to express yourself honestly throughout this process. I choose to reflect on inspiring quotes, affirmations and/or scriptures that are hidden in my heart during my journaling time in order to rise up above my problems, situations, depression, sadness, hurt, etc. Remember, this is a personal journey. Be sure to show yourself some grace while starting the journaling experience. It’s important for you to find your safe place and surround yourself with God’s love, peace, and joy throughout the process.

AFFIRMATIONS

Affirmation without discipline is the beginning of delusion. – Jim Rohn

Affirmations will help you to focus on improving yourself. You can spend 5 – 10 minutes in meditation, journaling, or yoga with mantras. Self-love, positivity, open-mindedness, help set you in the right direction. Designate a time in the morning and at night when you can recite affirmations aloud. By saying them aloud, you hear the powerful words, and it can help you internalize them as true. The key to seeing a positive change in life is to say the affirmations with conviction and make it a personal experience.

Here’s a few of my favorite affirmations to help you get started:

I am a unique, creative, and wonderful black woman who keeps growing by the day.
I am learning to love, cherish, and respect myself.
I am using the wisdom within me to navigate through my life.
I am releasing my connection to things that don’t serve me.
I am patient and know that growth may take time.
I am blessed with every challenge I have faced.
I am consciously working hard to bring the best out of every moment I am given.
I am always creating a new course of action because I am unstoppable.
I am embracing my full potential even if it makes others uncomfortable.

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

In the journal I do not just express myself more openly than I could to any person; I create myself. – Susan Sontag

Journaling is a powerful way to process events in your life, build self-awareness, get more clarity, and keep yourself on track. Journaling also allows for past reflection, future insight, and present surrender. Keep in mind that this is a journey, and everyone takes their own path. Ready, set, write!

What is something that has been weighing on your mind lately?
What do you see as your biggest accomplishment? failure?
Do you have any regrets about how you’ve lived your life so far?
What have you done to make amends and/or forgive yourself?
What is the most important thing you have learned about yourself in the past year?
If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?
What can you do right now to lift your mood?
How can you make this week a better one than last?

Let’s Talk. As you can see, journaling has many benefits that can help you overcome any obstacle that you face in life. Have you already tried journaling to overcome challenges in life? After reading this blog post, what resonates with you? I would love to hear from you? Please answer these questions in the comment section.

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow, and forever!